New Black Masculinity

My name is Chello. I live in Maryland. I have a wife and three children. I always take my children with me to vote. For one, the youngest likes the stickers. Secondly, I want them to learn about and be active in the process. I’m not voting for Obama.

I’m voting for my father. Who in the 1930’s was put in an insane asylum for his relationship with a black woman. He was only released to serve in WWII.

I’m voting for my mother, who unbeknownst to her, gave me the structure to be a proud man and a feminist. I want her to be financially secure and not have to worry about her retirement.

I’m voting for my brothers and sisters. My best friends and supporters.

I’m voting for my son, Malakai. Who can go to school and say “I want to be President” and not get the same “yeah right” looks that I did.

I’m voting for my daughter, Chelsea. Who can look forward to going to college and a bright future.

I’m voting for my daughter, Nichole. Who one day may be able to look up and see that there is no glass ceiling.

I’m voting for the class I gave a career day lecture to because I want their future to be bright.

I’m voting for the prisoners I counsel. I want them to be accountable for their crimes but I also want them to feel that justice truly is blind.

I’m voting for my community. A community that has more prisons than colleges. A community where jobs are few and morale is low.

I’m voting for the plumber who fixes things in my house. Who still gives me deals despite not being able to afford health care. His name is Marty.

I’m voting for all the people who died and suffered in the Civil Rights Movement.

I’m voting for all my fellow feminist bloggers. We may disagree on politics, the direction of feminism, even if a man can be a feminsit, the sports teams that we root for, and many other things but people who I have grown to trust and care for. I respect your opinions and wish you well.

I’m voting for a government that will invest in its future. I’m voting for a government that will be respected and represent what is best about the world. I’m voting for a government that will protect it’s most vulnerable population like children, the elderly, and the working poor. I’m voting for a government that rewards volunteerism and makes higher education more than a dream.

I’m punching the ticket that says Obama/ Biden but it’s more than the candidates. It’s about a better tomorrow for all of us. I’m voting for that.

This is a very old post, but I felt I had to reply. I want all the things you posted about, but I did not vote for Obama. I voted for a true progressive. For someone who fights for the rights of people of all colors, for all sexualities and genders, for all nations (even the reviled Palestinians). I also voted for an African-American. Her name is Cynthia McKinney. She would have given us those things you wrote about.

What has Obama given us? He’s taken into his inner circle a man who says women are genetically incapable of excelling at math and science. (Is that what you want to tell your daughters?) A man who, as a leader at Harvard, opposed Affirmative Action. (Is that what will help your sons?) Even worse, Obama himself spoke out against the rights of all people to love and legally commit to whomever they feel the desire for. (Is that what you want for your GLBT friends and family members?) His words were used to support a vote of hatred and oppression in California. In other words, Obama is just more of the same. Just another male who mouths the words, yet supports patriarchy, forced heterosexuality, and even the demonization of the African-American. I knew that was who he was before he became President. Why would I ever support such a man?